base tenses

1. PRESENT SIMPLE 

Form: S + V1 + O/C 

We use the simple present tense when: 

• the action is general 

• the action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present and future 

• the action is not only happening now 

• the statement is always true I live in New York. 

Examples:

• The Moon goes round the Earth. 

• John drives a taxi. 

• He does not drive a bus. 

• We meet every Thursday. 

• We do not work at night. 

• Do you play football?

2. PAST SIMPLE  

Form: • past form 

          • auxiliary did +base form 

We use the simple past tense to talk about an action or a situation - an event - in the past. The event can be short or long. 

• the event is in the past 

• the event is completely finished 

• we say (or understand) the time and/or place of the event In general, if we say the time or place of the event, we must use the simple past tense; we cannot use the present perfect. 

• I lived in that house when I was young. 

• He didn't like the movie. 

• What did you eat for dinner? 

• John drove to London on Monday. 

• Mary did not go to work yesterday. 

• Did you play tennis last week?

• I was at work yesterday. 

• We were not late (for the train). 

• Were you angry? 

3 PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

Form: am/is/are + Present Participle 

Usage:

1. The idea that something is happening now, at this moment. 

2. In English, “now” can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, etc. (the process of doing a longer action which in progress: however, we might not doing it at this exact second) 

Examples: 

• You are learning English now

• You are not swimming now 

• Are you sleeping? 

• I am sitting 

• I am not standing 

• I am studying to become a doctor 

• I am reading the book Tom Sawyer 

• Are you working on any special projects at work? 

• Aren’t you teaching at the university now? 

4 .PAST PROGRESSIVE 

Form: Was/were + present participle 

Usage: 

• To indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past.

Examples: 

• I was watching TV when she called 

• When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.

• While we were having the picnic, it started to rain 

• What were you doing when the earth quake started? 

Use a specific time as an interruption 

 

Example:

• Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner 

• At midnight, we were still walking across the forest 

• Yesterday at this time, I was typing at my desk work 

Express the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel. 

Example:

• I was studying while he was making dinner 

• While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching TV 

• Were you listening while he was talking? 

Use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular time in the past. 

Example:

• When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service. 

5. Future Simple  

     Form:

    • Will + Verb 1 

    • Be going to + Verb 1 

Usage: 

• To express voluntary action 

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something. 

Example:  

• I will send you the information when I get it.
• I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
• Willyou help me move this heavy table?
• Willyou make dinner?
• I will not do your homework for you.
• I won't do all the housework myself!
• A: I'm really hungry.
  B: I'll make some sandwiches.
• A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
  B: I'll get you some coffee.
• A: The phone is ringing.
  B: I'll get it. 
• to be continue